New Delhi (thestates.news)| Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi Friday met representatives of farm unions from across the country at Parliament House to discuss concerns over the proposed India–US trade deal. According to a party statement, farm leaders expressed strong opposition to the agreement, voicing “deep concern” over its potential impact on the livelihoods of farmers cultivating corn, soybean, cotton, fruits and nuts.
During the meeting, Gandhi said the trade deal had effectively “opened the door for agricultural imports” and warned that “many other crops would soon follow.”
”Our farmers cannot be asked to compete with heavily subsidised agricultural imports,” Gandhi was quoted as saying. “This agreement threatens not only specific crops but the broader rural economy. We must safeguard the livelihoods of farmers and farm labourers.” Farm leaders told Gandhi that the proposed agreement could adversely affect domestic producers, particularly small and marginal farmers. They argued that increased imports from the United States could depress prices in the Indian market and undermine income security.
A representative present at the meeting said, “We are already struggling with rising input costs and unstable market prices. Opening the gates to cheaper imports will further weaken farmers’ bargaining power.” The leaders and Gandhi discussed the possibility of launching a large-scale national movement to oppose the trade deal. “There is a need to build a broad platform to protect India’s agricultural sector,” one of the attendees said after the meeting.
The discussion was attended by leaders from several farmer organisations across states. Those present included Sukhpal S Khaira and Akhilesh Shukla of the All India Kisan Congress; Ranjit S Sandhu of GKS Rajasthan; Adv Ashok Balhara of the Bharatiye Kisan Mazdoor Union, Haryana; P T John of KMM Kerala; Baldev S Zira of BKU Krantikari; R NandKumar of the Progressive Farmers Front; Amarjit S Mohri of BKU Shaheed Bhagat Singh; Kedar Sirohi of the Aam Kisan Union; Kiranjit S Sandhu of Kisan Congress Punjab; Gurpreet S Sangha (Rajya Sabha); Guramneet S Mangat of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha–India; Hameed Malik of the J&K Zamidara Forum; Tejveer Singh of KMM; Dharamvir Goyat of the Haryana Kisan Sangarsh Samiti; Ishwar Singh Nain of Krishak Samaj; and Satbir Khatana of the South Haryana Kisan Union.
The meeting comes amid heightened political tensions during the Budget Session of Parliament, where the Opposition has repeatedly demanded greater transparency from the government regarding the terms and implications of the interim trade understanding with the United States.
The government has maintained that any trade agreement would be negotiated in India’s best interest and in consultation with stakeholders. However, the Congress and several farmer groups have alleged that adequate safeguards for the agricultural sector have not been made public.
With Parliament set to reconvene after recess next month, the trade deal is likely to remain a key flashpoint between the government and the Opposition, as farmer organisations weigh their next course of action.(s-uni)
